Senator, the Honourable Bridget McKenzie, Federal Minister for Regional Services, Sport, Local Government and Decentralisation, today announced Hindmarsh Shire Council would receive funding of $600,000 from the Federal Government for the establishment of the Wimmera River Discovery Trail.

Senator McKenzie made the announcement with the Wimmera River as the backdrop at the Riverside Holiday Park, Dimboola.

Funding will be through the Australian Government, Department of Industry, Innovation and Science and the Department of Infrastructure, Regional Development and Cities, Building Better Regions Fund – Infrastructure Projects Stream.

The $600,000 funding announced by Senator McKenzie will be matched with $400,000 from the Victorian Government and $200,000 from Council.

Hindmarsh Shire Council Mayor, Cr Ron Ismay said “We are very enthusiastic to establish the Wimmera River Discovery Trail as an iconic, multiuse trail along the Wimmera River corridor between Dimboola, Jeparit and Lake Hindmarsh”.

He added “The Wimmera River Discovery Trail has been a Hindmarsh Shire Council priority tourism project since 2016 and is a top 3 priority project in the Grampians Regional Development Victoria Region Cycling and Trails Infrastructure Business and Masterplan”.

It is anticipated that the Wimmera River Discovery Trail will increase visitation to the region and will provide an opportunity to showcase the significant local indigenous history and culture along with an abundance of environmental, flora, fauna and heritage based features.

The trail will complement other tourism initiatives including, but not limited to, the Silo Art Trail, Pink Lake at Lochiel and Lake Tyrell at Sea Lake which already attracts a large Chinese visitor market.

Cr Ismay said “All of these combined will support the Wimmera Mallee region as a tourism destination rather than somewhere you drive through to get to another destination”.

“Council believes that the Wimmera River Discovery Trail will be a boon for Dimboola and Jeparit as both towns will be either starting or finishing points for the trail. Establishment of facilities in both towns and along the Wimmera River corridor for participants will be as important as the establishment of the trail”.

“We now look forward to the commencement of this exciting project” Cr Ismay concluded.

Above - The Wimmera River at Jeparit will form part of the Wimmera River Discovery Trail.